Security container with locking closure and method for locking a closure

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a container that can hold tablets or liquids, for example, for use in the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries and in particular to a child resistant locking arrangement for a container. The object of the invention is to ensure that the container is easy to open, in particular, for elderly and disabled persons and that the container is child resistant and can be sealed to prevent excessive ingress of water vapour. The container comprises a hollow body holding solid or liquid contents and a closure, which closes the container. A locking ring is provided between the body and closure, which can rotate between body and closure. An indicator arrow is located on body and an indicator arrow is located on closure. The locking ring also carries an indicator arrow and it is only when the indicator arrow is aligned, by turning the locking ring, with the indicator arrows and that the closure can be opened by lifting or flipping the projecting edge of the closure.

The present invention relates to a container which can hold tablets orliquids, for example, for use in the pharmaceutical, chemical and foodindustries and in particular to a locking arrangement for a containerand/or a secondary containment region for a container.

Containers that have child resistant features are now generallyavailable but these containers are typically very difficult for elderlyor disabled persons to open. Reference should now be made to U.S. Pat.No. 5,908,125 and other patents in the same area of technology. Ingeneral, child resistant containers require the user to simultaneouslysqueeze and turn the closure, or push and turn the closure, in order torelease the closure from the container body. However, elderly persons orpersons with dexterity problems find that the force required to squeezeor push the closure and simultaneously rotate the closure is too greator that they experience pain in attempting to open the closure. Thosesuffering from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis will find thatthey have to avoid any movement, which involves gripping, twisting orbending of the wrist.

Known child resistant containers comprise a cap locking arrangementwhereby the user has to turn a cap and align two dots on the respectiveouter surfaces of the container and the cap. In this position the capcan be pushed open. However, we have found that after the cap has beenplaced back on the container the user has to remember to turn the capagain so that the two dots are no longer aligned otherwise the containeris more readily opened and is no longer child resistant. Furthermore, wehave found that when this type of container is opened, the cap partiallyobscures the view of the contents of the container. Furthermore, forsome tablet pharmaceuticals the patient only has to take half a tabletdose. A further disadvantage of the present containers is that once thetablet has been removed from the container it has to be either stored ina separate location or placed back into the container with the othertablets. In this arrangement the part tablet can be hard to find at alater time.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is providedcontainer comprising a hollow body, a closure movable between a closedcondition and an open condition, a locking part for securing the closurein the closed condition, the locking part being moveable between alocking position and an unlocked position, and actuator means for movingthe locking part from the unlocked position to the locking position asthe closure is transferred between the respective conditions.

Preferably, the arrangement is such that as the closure is moved to theopen condition and the locking part is in the unlocked position theactuator means moves the locking part to the locked position.

Preferably, the arrangement is such that as the closure is moved to theclosed condition and the locking part is in the unlocked position theactuator means moves the locking part to the locked position.

The actuator means helps to ensure that the locking part is in a lockingposition after the closure has been opened and/or closed.

Preferably, the actuator means automatically moves the locking part asthe closure is being opened and/or closed; therefore the child resistantfeature is automatically activated when necessary during the openingoperation and the closing operation.

The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages we have foundof the prior art containers by providing a locking arrangement for acontainer that is automatically placed in a locked condition.

Preferably, the closure and the locking part comprise respectivecooperating locking elements, the arrangement being such that as theclosure is removed from the body to open the container, the actuatormeans moves one of the locking elements relative to the other lockingelement.

Preferably, the arrangement of the cooperating locking elements locatedon the closure and the locking part is such that as the closure ispushed back onto the body to close the container, the actuator meansmoves one of the locking elements relative to the other locking element.

Preferably, the locking part carries an indicator that must be alignedwith an indicator on the hollow body and/or the closure, the arrangementbeing such that in use the indicators are moved from an aligned positionto a misaligned position by the actuator means.

In an alternative embodiment the cooperating locking elements arelocated on the body and the locking part, the arrangement being suchthat as the closure is removed from the body to open the container, theactuation means moves one of the locking elements relative to the otherlocking element.

Preferably, in this alternative embodiment the arrangement of thecooperating locking elements located on the body and the locking part issuch that as the closure is pushed back onto the body to close thecontainer, the actuation means moves one of the locking elementsrelative to the other locking element.

The locking part is preferably an annular locking ring.

Preferably, the actuator means comprises an elongate member disposed onthe inside of the closure, and the locking ring comprises a ramp, theramp being sloped such that as the elongate member makes contact withthe ramp and is slid progressively along a surface of the ramp rotationof the locking ring results such that the indicators on the body and/orclosure and the locking part are no longer aligned.

Preferably, the arrangement of the elongate member and the ramp is suchthat as the closure is removed from the body to open the container, theelongate member makes contact with a first surface of the ramp androtation of the locking ring results such that the indicators on thebody and/or closure and the locking part are no longer aligned.

Preferably, the arrangement of the elongate member and the ramp is suchthat as the closure is placed back onto the body to close the containerand the indicators are aligned, the elongate member makes contact with asecond surface of the ramp and rotation of the locking ring results suchthat the indicators on the body and/or closure and the locking part areno longer aligned.

Preferably, the ramp protrudes from a radially inner surface of thelocking ring.

Alternatively, the ramp is a channel formed in the wall of locking ring,the central axis of the channel being at an angle from the axis of thering.

Preferably, the elongate member is a flexible cantilever.

Preferably, the elongate member is hook shaped cantilever, extendingfrom the inside surface of the closure.

The locking part is preferably located between the body and the closure.

The cooperating locking element located on the closure is preferably alug.

In a first embodiment of the present invention the cooperating lockingelement located on the locking part is a circumferential flange disposedon the inside surface of the locking part and the lug is formed on theelongate member, the flange being formed with a recessed portion throughwhich the lug can pass during opening and closing of the closure.

The ramp is preferably disposed axially below the circumferential flangeand generally inline with the recessed portion of the flange, thearrangement being such that there is a gap between the uppermost part ofthe ramp and the circumferential flange.

In a second embodiment of the present invention the cooperating lockingelement located the locking part is a circumferential track attached tothe inside surface of the locking part and the lug is formed with adistal head part, the lug extends from an inner surface of the closure,the track being formed with an access hole through which the head of thelug can pass during opening and closing of the closure.

The ramp is preferably disposed axially above the circumferential track.

Preferably, the arrangement of the ramp and the flange is such that uponrotation of the locking part in one direction the lug first passesthrough the gap and generally aligns with the recess before the elongatemember makes contact with the ramp.

Preferably, the body has an outlet, which can be sealed by a sealingelement located on the closure.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the lug comprisesa member formed with a barbed distal end.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method for locking a closure to a container according to the firstaspect of the present invention, the method comprising moving a lockingpart from an unlocked position to a locking position as a closure istransferred between respective conditions.

Preferably, the arrangement is such that as the closure is moved to theopen condition the actuator means moves the locking part to the lockedposition.

Preferably, the arrangement is such that as the closure is moved to theclosed condition the actuator means moves the locking part to the lockedposition.

Preferably the method comprises automatically moving a locking partduring the opening and the closing operation of the closure.

The method ensures that the closure is locked to the container followingthe opening and/or closing of the container.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provideda closure for a container according to the first aspect of theinvention.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda locking part for a container according to the first aspect of theinvention.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda hollow body for a container according to the first aspect of theinvention.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is providedactuator means for a container according to the first aspect of theinvention.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provideda container according to the previous aspects of the invention andcomprising a second containment region.

Preferably, the second containment region is disposed at the upperregion of the body and is sealed by the closure of the container.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described indetail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a container in aclosed condition and in a locked position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container in FIG. 1 when in theclosed and unlocked position before the closure is opened,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container in FIG. 1 with the closureopened;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the container in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view in direction X of the container in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are left-hand side, right-hand side, top plan andbottom views respectively of the container in FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 shows slightly enlarged details of the ring in FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 shows another perspective of the details of the lockingmechanism inside the ring in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the container inthe closed and locked position;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective views of the container in FIG. 12 withthe closure opened;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a container inthe closed and unlocked position according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the container in FIG. 15 with theclosure in an opened condition;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the locking part of the container inFIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a partial detailed view X of the locking part of thecontainer in FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a partial detailed view Y of the closure and actuator of thecontainer in FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a container inthe closed and unlocked position according to the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the container in FIG. 20 with theclosure in an opened condition;

FIG. 22 is a partial detailed view of the closure and actuator of thecontainer in FIG. 21; and

FIG. 23 is a partial detailed view of the locking part of the containerin FIG. 21.

In FIGS. 1 to 11, the first embodiment of a container according to thepresent invention is depicted. The container comprises a hollow body 1for holding solid or liquid contents and a closure 2, which closes thecontainer. A locking part in the form of a locking ring 3 is providedbetween the body 1 and closure 2. The locking ring 3 is rotatable on thebody l. An indicator arrow A is located on the body and an indicatorarrow B is located on the closure 2. The locking ring 3 also carries anindicator arrow C and it is only when the indicator arrow C is aligned,by turning the locking ring 3, with the indicator arrows A and B (seeFIG. 2) that the closure 2 can be opened by lifting or flipping theprojecting edge 4 of the closure 2. Clearly, an indicator arrow needonly be provided on either the body 1 or the closure 2 but the userbenefits from being able to align indicator arrow C on the locking ring3 with either indicator arrow A or indicator arrow B.

The container also comprises actuator means in the form of an elongatemember 6 that extends in a direction away from the inner surface of theclosure 2. The member 6 comprises a hook shaped distal end 6 a. Disposedbetween the distal end 6 a and the closure 2 is a wedge shaped lug 10.

The locking ring 3 is located on the body 1 by way of a snap fit betweencircular rib formed on an annular shoulder (not shown) on the body 1 anda corresponding circular recess 12 formed adjacent the lower inner edgeof the ring 3. The arrangement of the ring 3 and the body 1 is such thatthe ring 3 is secured to the body 1 but will rotate freely on the body1.

In order that the closure 2 is locked onto the body 1, the locking ring3 has a circumferential flange 8 on its inside surface. This flange 8 isformed with a recessed portion 9 through which the hook 6 and lug 10 canpass during opening and closing of the closure 2 if the arrows A, B, Care aligned. The lug 10 will sit under the flange 8 when the arrows arenot aligned, thereby locking the closure 2 onto the body 1.

The locking ring 3 comprises a ramp 7 that is sloped from the axialdirection of the ring 3 and extends from the inner surface of the ring3. There is a gap 13 between the uppermost part of the ramp 7 and theflange 8 through which the lug 10 may pass when the arrows A, B, C arealigned The ramp 7 comprises an upper inclined surface 14 and a lowerinclined surface 16 (hidden in the Figures). The arrangement is suchthat if the arrows A, B, C are aligned and the closure 2 is opened thelug 10 passes through the opening 9 and the distal end 6 a of the hook 6will make contact with the lower inclined surface 16 of the ramp 7 androtate the locking ring 3 i.e., back to the locked position. Also, thearrangement is such that if the arrows A, B, C are aligned and theclosure 2 is closed the distal end 6 a of the hook 6 will make contactwith upper inclined surface 14 of the ramp 7 and rotate the locking ring3 i.e., back to the locked position. In this respect, it should be notedthat the locking ring 3 is freely rotatable on the body 1 once the hook6 has travelled down the ramp 7.

In the embodiments shown the locking part is preferably in the form of alocking ring 3, however the locking part may be a non-annular shape forexample a slideable element that is moveable by the actuator means in anarc or linear direction.

As an alternative, the ramp 7 could include a channel, which capturesthe tip of the hook 6 at the bottom of the ramp 7 whereby the hook 6 isonly released when it has travelled to the top of the ramp 7. With thisarrangement, the indicator arrow C is not aligned when the closure 2 hasopened and the user can simply push the hook 6 over the flange 8 toclose the closure 2.

The distal end 6 a acts as an actuator that ensures that the respectivearrow indicators are misaligned following the opening and/or closing ofthe container. The distal end 6 a automatically moves the arrowindicators out of alignment during the opening operation and ifnecessary the closing operation. Therefore the child resistant featureis automatically activated during the opening operation and if necessaryduring the closing operation.

It should be noted that the hook 6 is flexible so that it is possible topush the closure 2 closed without aligning the hook 6 with the recessedportion 9. The lug 10 is sloped corresponding to the slope on the flange8 so that it can simply be pushed over the flange 8 until the lug 10slips beneath the flange 8 to lock the closure 2 onto the body 1.

The width of the recessed portion 9 is such that when the arrows A, B, Care aligned and the hook 6 sits at the bottom of the ramp 7, the lug 10will be free to move out of the locking ring 3.

The body 1 in this embodiment has an annular opening 11 that is sealableby an annular rim 12 on the closure 2. This sealing arrangement helpsprevent the ingress of water vapour, which could affect the stability ofthe contents and also acts to prevent leakage if the contents areliquid. The flange 8 and the annular opening 11 form a secondarycontainment volume 17. The volume 17 and the internal volume of the body1 are separated from each other by an annular wall (not shown in theFigures). The volume 17 may be used to store material, such as part orwhole pharmaceutical tables that have been removed from the containerbody 1. The containment volume 17 also provides an area that may be usedto inspection the material that has been removed from the body.

In FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, a second embodiment of a container according tothe present invention is depicted. The container comprises a tubularhollow body 20 holding solid or liquid contents and a closure 21, whichcloses the container. A locking ring 23 is provided between the body 20and closure 21 which can rotate between body 20 and closure 21. Anindicator arrow D is located on body 20 and an indicator arrow E islocated the locking ring 23. As with the first embodiment it is onlywhen the indicator arrows are aligned, by turning the locking ring, thatthe closure 21 can be opened by lifting or flipping the projecting edge24 of the closure 21.

In FIGS. 13 and 14, the closure 21 has been opened and the user is ableto take out the contents. Since the closure 21 is hinged to the body 20at point 25, there is no obstruction to emptying the contents as theclosure 21 can sit right back as far as the hinge point 25 will allow.

The closure 21 is formed with an annular collar 25 extending around theperimeter of the closure 21. Extending from an inner surface of theclosure 21 is an elongate member 26 formed with a frusto conical end 28at the distal end thereof. A wedge shaped locking lug 38 is formed on anouter surface of the annular collar 25.

The locking ring 23 comprises an outer annular collar 31 and a radiallyinner annular track 32 formed with an inner annular channel and an upperannular slot 34. The inner annular channel is directly below the slot34. The width of the slot 34 is less than the width of the annularchannel. At one point on the slot 34 the width increases forming acircular access hole 36. The outer annular collar 31 is formed with achannel 37 that is sloped from the axial direction of the ring 23.

The locking ring 23 is located on the body 20 by way of a snap fitbetween a circular rib (not shown) formed on the body 20 and acorresponding circular recess (not shown) formed adjacent the lowerinner edge of the ring 23 such that the ring 23 is secured to the body20 but will rotate freely on the body.

The arrangement is such that if the arrows D and E are aligned the end28 will be adjacent the hole 36 and the lug 38 will be at the lowermostend of the channel 37 and the closure 21 can be opened. As the closure21 is opened the end 28 will pass through the hole 36 and the lug 38will make contact with the upper inclined surface of the channel 37 androtate the locking ring 23 i.e., back to the locked position. Also, thearrangement is such that if the arrows D and E are aligned and theclosure 21 is closed the end 28 will pass through the hole 36 and thenthe lug 38 will make contact with lower inclined surface of the channel37 and rotate the locking ring 23 i.e., back to the locked position. Inthis respect, it should be noted that the locking ring 23 is freelyrotatable on the body 20 once the lug 38 has travelled down the channel37.

The body 20 in this embodiment has an annular opening 40 formed in anupper wall 41. The opening 40 is sealable by an annular rim 42 on theclosure 2. This sealing arrangement helps prevent the ingress of watervapour which cold affect the stability of the contents and also acts toprevent leakage if the contents are liquid. The upper wall 41 andannular track 32 form a secondary containment volume 43. The volume 43may be used to store material, such as part or whole pharmaceuticaltables that have been removed from the container body 20. Thecontainment volume 43 also provides an area that may be used toinspection the material that has been removed from the body.

The lug 38 acts as an actuator that ensures that the respective arrowindicators are misaligned following the opening and/or closing of thecontainer. The lug 38 automatically moves the arrow indicators out ofalignment during the opening operation and if necessary the closingoperation. Therefore the child resistant feature is automaticallyactivated during the opening operation and if necessary during theclosing operation.

In FIGS. 15 to 19, a third embodiment of a container according to thepresent invention is depicted. The third embodiment comprises manycommon features as the first embodiment herein before described and thesame reference numbers have been used to depict those common features.

The third embodiment container 50 comprises a hollow body 51 for holdingsolid or liquid contents and a closure 52, which closes the container. Alocking part in the form of a locking ring 53 is provided between thebody 51 and closure 52. The locking ring 53 is rotatable on the body 51.An indicator arrow B is located on the closure 52. The locking ring 53also carries an indicator arrow C and it is only when the indicatorarrow C is aligned, by turning the locking ring 53, with the indicatorarrows B (see FIG. 15) that the closure 52 can be opened by lifting orflipping the projecting edge 54 of the closure 52.

The container 51 also comprises actuator means in the form of anelongate member 6 that extends in a direction away from the innersurface of the closure 52. The member 6 comprises a hook shaped distalend 6 a. Disposed between the distal end 6 a and the closure 52 is awedge shaped lug 10.

The locking ring 53 is located on the body 51 by way of a snap fitbetween circular rib formed on an annular shoulder (not shown) on thebody 51 and a corresponding circular recess (not shown) formed adjacentthe lower inner edge of the ring 53. The arrangement of the ring 53 andthe body 51 is such that the ring 53 is secured to the body 51 but willrotate freely on the body 51.

The operation and function of the locking ring 53 and the actuator 6 issubstantially the same as the description of the corresponding featuresof FIGS. 1 to 11 of the first aspect of the invention. It will be notedhowever that the locking ring 53 is disposed substantially about thecentral axis of the container 51. In this embodiment the container 51 isformed with an opening 55 located at one side of the container 51. Theopening 55 provides access to the interior volume of the container 51.

A solid panel 63 seals a portion of the upper volume of the container51. The panel 63 and an annular collar 61 form a second containmentvolume 64. A third containment volume 65 is formed by a portion of thepanel 63, a portion of the radially outermost wall of the body 51 andactuate wall 67. The second and third containment volumes 64, 65 may beused to store solids of liquids. The second and third containmentvolumes 64, 65 may be used for storing pharmaceutical products such aspills or capsules and are particularly useful for storing partial pillsor capsules. The containment volumes 64, 65 are sealed by the closure52. The containment volumes 64, 65 also provide areas that may be usedto inspection the material that has been removed from the body.

In FIGS. 20 to 23, a fourth embodiment of a container according to thepresent invention is depicted. The fourth embodiment comprises manycommon features as the first embodiment herein before described and thesame reference numbers have been used to depict those common features.

The container 70 of the third embodiment differs from that of the firstembodiment by the fact that the closure 72 of the container 70 extendsacross the uppermost end volume of the hollow body 1. The horizontalcross-section of the closure 72 is substantially the same as thehorizontal cross-section of the body 1.

A solid panel 74 seals a portion of the upper volume of the container 1.The panel 74 and an upwardly extending collar 76 form a secondcontainment volume 68. The second containment volume 68 may be used forstoring pharmaceutical products such as pills or capsules and isparticularly useful for storing partial pills or capsules. Thecontainment volume 68 is sealed by the closure 72. The containmentvolume 68 also provides an area that may be used to inspection thematerial that has been removed from the body.

1-37. (canceled)
 38. A container comprising a hollow body that comprisesa first containment volume, a closure movable between a closed conditionand an open condition, a locking part for securing the closure in theclosed condition, the locking part being moveable between a lockingposition and an unlocked position, and actuator means for moving thelocking part from the unlocked position to the locking position as theclosure is transferred between the respective conditions.
 39. Acontainer of claim 38 wherein the arrangement is such that as theclosure is moved to the open condition the actuator means moves thelocking part to the locked position.
 40. A container of claim 38 whereinthe arrangement is such that as the closure is moved to the closedcondition the actuator means moves the locking part to the lockedposition.
 41. A container of claim 39 wherein the closure and thelocking part comprise respective cooperating locking elements, thearrangement being such that in use as the closure is removed from thebody to open the container, the actuator means moves one of the lockingelements relative to the other locking element.
 42. A container of claim40 wherein the arrangement of the cooperating locking elements locatedon the closure and the locking part is such that as the closure ispushed back onto the body to close the container, the actuator meansmoves one of the locking elements relative to the other locking element.43. A container of claim 41 wherein the cooperating locking elements arelocated on the body and the locking part, the arrangement being suchthat when the closure is removed from the body to open the container,the actuator means moves one of the locking elements relative to theother locking element and the arrangement of the cooperating lockingelements located on the body and the locking part is such that when theclosure is pushed back onto the body to close the container, theactuator means moves one of the locking elements relative to the otherlocking element.
 44. A container of claim 38 wherein the locking part isa locking ring.
 45. A container of claim 38 wherein the actuator meanscomprises an elongate member disposed on the inside of the closure, andthe locking ring comprises a ramp, the ramp being sloped such that whenthe elongate member makes contact with the ramp and is slidprogressively along a surface of the ramp, rotation of the locking ringresults such that the indicators on the body and/or closure and thelocking part are no longer aligned.
 46. A container of claim 45 whereinthe arrangement of the elongate member and the ramp is such that whenthe closure is removed from the body to open the container, the elongatemember makes contact with a first surface of the ramp and rotation ofthe locking ring results such that the indicators on the body and/orclosure and the locking part are no longer aligned.
 47. A container ofclaim 45 wherein the arrangement of the elongate member and the ramp issuch that when the closure is placed back onto the body to close thecontainer and the indicators are aligned, the elongate member makescontact with a second surface of the ramp and rotation of the lockingring results such that the indicators on the body and/or closure and thelocking part are no longer aligned.
 48. A container of claim 45 whereinthe ramp protrudes from a radially inner surface of the locking ring.49. A container of claim 45 wherein in the ramp is a channel formed inthe wall of locking ring, the central axis of the channel being at anangle from the axis of the ring.
 50. A container of claim 45 wherein theelongate member is a flexible cantilever.
 51. A container of claim 45wherein the elongate member is hook shaped cantilever, extending fromthe inside surface of the closure.
 52. A container of claim 38 whereinthe locking part is located between the body and the closure.
 53. Acontainer of claim 52 wherein the cooperating locking element located onthe closure is a lug.
 54. A container of claim 41 wherein thecooperating locking element located on the locking part is acircumferential flange on the inside surface of the locking part and thelug is formed on the elongate member, the flange being formed with arecessed portion through which the lug can pass during opening andclosing of the closure.
 55. A container of claim 54 wherein the ramp isdisposed axially below the circumferential flange and generally inlinewith the recessed portion of the flange, the arrangement being such thatthere is a gap between the uppermost part of the ramp and thecircumferential flange.
 56. A container of claim 41 wherein thecooperating locking element located the locking part is acircumferential track attached to the inside surface of the locking partand the lug is formed with a distal head part, the lug extends from aninner surface of the closure, the track being formed with an access holethrough which the head of the lug can pass during opening and closing ofthe closure.
 57. A container of claim 56 wherein the ramp is preferablydisposed axially above the circumferential track.
 58. A container ofclaim 56 wherein the arrangement of the ramp and the flange is such thatupon rotation of the locking part in one direction the lug first passesthrough the gap and generally aligns with the recessed portion of theflange before the elongate member makes contact with the ramp.
 59. Acontainer of claim 38 wherein the body has an outlet, which can besealed by a sealing element located on the closure.
 60. A container ofclaim 53 wherein the lug comprises a member formed with a barbed distalend.
 61. A container of claim 38 wherein the container comprise a secondcontainment volume.
 62. A container of claim 61 wherein the containercomprises a third containment volume.
 63. A container of claim 62wherein at least one of the further containment volumes is disposed atthe upper volume of the body.
 64. A container of claim 62 wherein atleast one of the further containment volume is sealed by the closure.65. A method for locking a closure to a container according claim 1comprising moving a locking part from an unlocked position to a lockingposition as a closure is transferred between respective conditions. 66.A method of claim 65 wherein as the closure is moved to the opencondition the actuator means moves the locking part to the lockedposition.
 67. A method of claim 65 wherein as the closure is moved tothe closed condition the actuator means moves the locking part to thelocked position
 68. A method of claim 65 wherein the method comprisesautomatically moving a locking part from an unlocked position to alocking position as a closure is transferred between respectiveconditions.